MY PITY PARTY

I really try to be strong.  Most of the time that is.  People ask me how things are going at home and I say ok or fine.  I say these things to avoid thinking about just how hard it really is at home and I have yet to even see the worst of this process.  I love my husband.  He was my best friend.  I say was because we no longer have conversations, we no longer discuss our plans for the future, our life together, our kids growing up.  It has all changed and it is only the beginning.  I feel such a loss.  I feel so alone and in all respects I am grieving and he is still here.  Sometimes a hopeless feeling washes over me and it could be at the most random of times.  I usually am able to hold myself together at work but some days, it just gets to be too much. Other days, I just sit in my car and sob.  I have began to avoid him at home as much as I am able to so that he does not see me fall apart.  I know he needs me.  I know the children all need me but some days I feel like I am losing my mind.  The financial impact is devastating.  Disability has a five month waiting period before you begin to receive anything.  We have three more months left of zero income for him and we have added expenses.  We need someone to drive the kids places since his driving priviliges have been all but completely removed.  He still is able to drive to the store but a quick stop to pick something up can turn into a three hour expedition.  I know I need to put my big girl panties on and stop feeling sorry for myself.  I need to find “acceptance”.  Acceptance of this new life. Acceptance of this damn disease! 

NEUROLOGIST APPOINTMENT

……..back again.  I really have to try to devote more time to this but time is one thing I have very little of lately.  We finally got my husband in with the neurologist.  He is supposed to be the best in the area.  He is in his mid-late 70s so I worry that he will retire and we will forced to find another doctor.  This guy really was great.  Spoke to him and me with respect and took the time to explain what was found on the MRI.  Funny his primary doctor read the MRI as normal for age.  FALSE  Memory center noticeable change as well as left side and right side showing differences.  The doctor feels that he has had this long before his November diagnosis so what does that mean for prognosis.  Everything I read says for Early Onset Alzheimers there is a 2-7 year life expectancy.  He is way too young to die and my children are way too young to lose their father.  Another interesting thing is that his doctor finally prescribed an antidepressant for him after much prodding from me.  The neurologist said that is the first thing he ever prescribes.  I think much of his decline was depression.  He was not changing his clothes for bed, sleeping in jeans and belt.  He was sleeping for hours saying he didn’t feel well.  He has bounced back from all of that.  Thank you citalopram.  He is still forgetful and easily distracted and definitely not a “go getter”.  He would be content with sitting at home watching old games on the YES channel (YANKEES).  I am hoping now that Spring is here he will be able to get out more.  The fresh air and exercise may be just what he needs.  He is going to Arizona to visit his son for a week for his son’s birthday.  Hoping seeing his son gives him some enjoyment since very little does these days.  This disease sucks.  It truly is a slow death.  Killing your loved one off one memory at a time.  Hoping to make as many memories as we can. 🙂

How Extra Virgin Olive Oil Protects Against Alzheimer’s

(Source: Science Daily) -The mystery of exactly how  consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s  disease (AD) may lie in one component of olive oil that helps shuttle the  abnormal AD proteins out of the brain.

  Scientists once attributed it to  the high concentration of healthful monounsaturated fats in olive oil —  consumed in large amounts in the Mediterranean diet. Newer research suggested  that the actual protective agent might be a substance called oleocanthal, which  has effects that protect nerve cells from the kind of damage that occurs in AD.

  Go to full story:
http://www.sciencedaily.com

RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

http://www.alzinfo.org/alztalk/flashchat.php

http://www.afateens.org

http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_just_for_kids_and_teens.asp

http://www.hbo.com/alzheimers    (see the second one, Grandpa, Do You Know Who I Am?) 

Alzheimer’s Bibliography for Children and Teens http://www.zarcrom.com/users/yeartorem/AlzBibKids.html

 

DIET TO IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH

You may know that a Mediterranean diet — rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, whole grains and fish — offers heart-healthy benefits. But a Mediterranean diet may also benefit your brain. Studies show that people who closely follow a Mediterranean diet seem less likely to develop cognitive decline when compared with people who don’t follow the diet.

Research shows that a Mediterranean diet may:

• Slow cognitive decline in older adults
• Reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a transitional stage between the cognitive decline of normal aging and the more-serious memory problems caused by dementia or Alzheimer’s disease
• Reduce the risk of MCI progressing into Alzheimer’s disease

It’s unclear why following a Mediterranean diet may protect brain function. Researchers speculate that making healthy food choices may improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and overall blood vessel health — all factors that may reduce the risk of MCI or Alzheimer’s disease.

Studies of the effects of diet on dementia are dependent on the recall of the participants — problematic when some of those studied have memory troubles. More research is needed to know to what degree a Mediterranean diet prevents Alzheimer’s or slows the progression of cognitive decline.
Nonetheless, eating a healthy diet is important to stay physically and mentally fit.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alzheimers-disease/AN02036

 

There is also a page of Mediterranean recipes:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/mediterranean-diet-recipes/MY02229

Alzheimer’s Ribbon Tattoo

Foot Tattoo

Haven’t been on in a while. Life seems to get in the way sometimes. I did manage to squeeze some time in to get a tattoo on my foot with the alzheimer’s ribbon. It was done at Sacred Art Tattoo in Latham/Cohoes by Dave Tatum. Great guy and great place.